Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Former Charlotte 49ers men's basketball standout Eddie Basden will have his jersey retired during halftime of Charlotte's Feb. 19 showdown with Atlantic 10 power Xavier.

Basden, a former Conference USA player of the year, wore the No. 13 throughout his four-year career with Charlotte and will be the eighth men's basketball player in school history to have his jersey retired. In 2005, his senior season, Basden was named league player of the year, National Defensive Player of the Year by ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, and named second-team all-America by Basketball Times.

“Eddie Basden is truly one of the great players in Charlotte 49ers basketball history,” said Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz, who coached Basden throughout his career. “Always a terrific defender, Eddie developed into one of the best all around players in the nation by his senior year. He is the best off-the-ball defender I have ever coached and was able to make big shots and plays on the offensive end as well."

Basden graduated with all-time school records for steals in a career and single-season and shares the record for steals in a game. The 49ers made three NCAA trips during Basden’s four-year career and posted back-to-back 20-win seasons in his junior and senior seasons. Basden joins Byron Dinkins, Charles Hayward, DeMarco Johnson, Jarvis Lang, Cedric Maxwell, Melvin Watkins and Henry Williams as men’s players that have had their jerseys retired.

Basden graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2005 with a degree in African American and African Studies. Originally signed as a free agent in 2005 by the Chicago Bulls, Basden played overseas in France and Germany before signing as a free agent with the Miami Heat this past summer. He is currently playing professionally in Turkey.